A Backlog update on AIMA processing pending applications for residence permits
AIMA has analysed over 440,000 pending applications, of these 23,000 applications rejected, only 69,000 still need to be processed and decided upon (approximately 37,000 are nearing completion, and around 32,000 are in the final decision phase at AIMA. ), 170,000 were archived due to a lack of response, said Pedro Portugal Gaspar, President of AIMA, speaking to journalists. He said AIMA will be increasing the human capacity of 25-30% this year.
AIMA has approved 123,000 residence permits, representing 27.5% of the total 446,921 pending expressions of interest, according to Government. Among these 50,000 Golden Visa investors and those who applied for family reunification.
Task Force to Clear Backlog
The Portuguese government launched a task force in September 2025, to try to resolve the more than 400,000 pending cases of immigrants trying to regularize their situation in Portugal by June 2025 (summer). Several measures to accelerate processing of residence applications such as increasing the staff and service capacity of AIMA centres to 6000 appointments a day.
Organizational Challenge
AIMA also faces internal organizational challenges to strengthen its team and improve technological tools for better citizen response. This work in progress
In January 2025, the Portuguese government approved a grant of 5.97 million euros to the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA). This funding is intended to address the backlog of 400,000 pending residence application cases and streamline the resolution process. The Lisbon Administrative Court has registered 46,824 pending immigration and asylum cases against AIMA in 2024 for expedited resolution of cases.
Simplified Documents
AIMA implemented simplified documentation process reducing bureaucracy. Applicants are required to re-upload Freshly obtained and valid Criminal record, Birth and marriage certificates must be certified and apostille for use in Portugal. No translation required, if presented in English, Portuguese, Spanish and French.
Extended Validity of Visas and Permits
All foreign nationals holding any visa or residence permit, which expired from 22 February 2020, may remain in, exit, and enter Portugal based on these documents, as they continue to be accepted by all Portuguese public authorities, for all legal purposes, until 30 June 2025.
